Huerta confirmed as FAA administrator

Wednesday, January 02, 2013

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration's Michael Huerta, who was thrust into the role of acting administrator upon Randy Babbitt's resignation in December 2011, has been confirmed by the Senate as administrator.
Huerta was appointed deputy administrator on June 23, 2010.
Before joining the FAA, Huerta served as managing director of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City, worked in the U.S. Transportation Department, and ran the port of San Francisco.
Groups in the aviation industry seem pleased with the appointment. In early December, the National Air Transportation Association said confirming Huerta to the post was an "exceedingly necessary decision." The group sought to place some stability at the FAA as the country undertakes what it called a massive evolution of the domestic air transportation system.

Huerta

Another aviation trade group, Airlines for America, also expressed support for Huerta's confirmation. “Michael Huerta’s proven leadership and clear grasp of the
imperatives of NextGen make him the right choice to continue leading the
FAA,”
Nicholas E. Calio, the organization's president and chief executive officer, said in a statement. “Administrator Huerta’s commitment to safety and
improved efficiency of our nation’s airspace will benefit the traveling
public and ensure we continue to build a more vibrant aviation industry
that is so important to our nation’s economy and workforce.”
Pete Bunce, head of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, called Huerta an "effective leader," who Bunce was looking forward to working with on NextGen projects.
"Much progress has been made under Mr. Huerta’s direction," Bunce said in a statement, "and the general
aviation industry looks forward to working with him to achieve much
more in the future.” - Jon Ross